HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/14/2012 - RegularAugust 14, 2012
463
Roanoke County Administration Center
5204 Bernard Drive
Roanoke, Virginia 24018
The Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia met this day at the
Roanoke County Administration Center, this being the second Tuesday and the first
regularly scheduled meeting of the month of August 2012. Audio and video recordings
of this meeting will be held on file for a minimum of five (5) years in the office of the
Clerk to the Board of Supervisors.
IN RE: CALL TO ORDER
taken.
Chairman Flora called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. The roll call was
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Richard C. Flora; Supervisors Michael W. Altizer,
Joseph B. "Butch" Church and Eddie "Ed" Elswick
MEMBERS ABSENT: Supervisor Charlotte A. Moore
STAFF PRESENT: B. Clayton Goodman III, County Administrator; Diane D.
Hyatt, Assistant County Administrator; Daniel R. O'Donnell,
Assistant County Administrator; Paul M. Mahoney, County
Attorney; Teresa H. Hall, Director of Public Information and
Deborah C. Jacks, Clerk to the Board
IN RE: OPENING CEREMONIES
The invocation was given by Dr. Bill Ashford, Executive Pastor of First
Baptist Church of Roanoke. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present.
IN RE: PROCLAMATIONS, RESOLUTIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS
1. Recognition of Paul Bailey for his twenty -four (24) years of
service on the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Advisory
Commission representing the Windsor Hills Magisterial District
(Doug Blount, Director of Parks, Recreation and Tourism)
Mr. Elswick joined Chairman Flora at the podium in thanking Mr. Bailey for
his many years of service. Mr. Blount gave a brief summary of Mr. Bailey's
contributions. Mr. Bailey thanked the Board for the opportunity to serve.
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All Supervisors offered their congratulations.
2. Recognition of Roger Falls for his twenty -four (24) years of
service on the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Advisory
Commission representing the Vinton Magisterial District (Doug
Blount, Director of Parks, Recreation and Tourism)
Mr. Altizer joined Chairman Flora at the podium in thanking Mr. Falls for
his many years of service. Mr. Blount gave a brief summary of Mr. Falls' contributions.
Mr. Falls thanked the board and the citizens for the opportunity to serve. All
Supervisors offered their congratulations.
IN RE: BRIEFINGS
1. Briefing to present an overview of the proposed RoCo Alert
System (Bill Hunter, Assistant Director of Communications and
Information Technology; Joey Stump, Emergency Services
Coordinator)
Mr. Goodman started the briefing by explaining the reason for the
proposed alert system. Mr. Goodman then turned the meeting over to Elaine Carver,
Acting Director of Communications and Information Technology, who introduced those
in attendance: Bill Hunter, Assistant Director of Communications and Information
Technology, Joey Stump, Emergency Services Coordinator, Sheriff Mike Winston,
Bobby Russell, Police Chief Howard Hall, Vinton Police Chief Ben Cook, Fire and
Rescue Chief Richard Burch and David Cox.
Ms. Carver then explained the July 31, 2012, incident, whereby a test
message went out mistakenly to 30,000 citizens. This alert system is to inform and
enhance public safety. She explained staff has refocused on training, looked at the
message itself, will become part of the regular training package, and has taken the
steps necessary to keep this from happening again. Supervisor Elswick asked if this
was a selected alert with Ms. Carver answering in the affirmative.
Bill Hunter gave a brief PowerPoint presentation and thanked the Public
information office for their work on this project.
Supervisor Elswick inquired if the surrounding areas can utilize with Ms.
Carver explaining it is based on a Roanoke County database and therefore could not be
utilized in the surrounding areas. However, communication is made through the 911
Center with Roanoke City every day. Roanoke City has their own system.
Supervisor Altizer asked if you can sign up your cell phone and get
multiple notifications with Ms. Carver answering affirmatively. Supervisor Altizer then
wanted to know if an answering machine was considered as receiving the call with Ms.
Carver answering in the affirmative.
August 14, 2012 465
Supervisor Church advised no one should object to be warned. He
clarified that he feels the County is taking a step forward and maybe others will follow.
Supervisor Flora remarked the text message charges are made by the cell
phone provider, not Roanoke County.
IN RE: FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES
1. Ordinance amending Section 21 -202 of the Roanoke County Code
providing for an increase in the transient occupancy tax,
designation for the use of the proceeds and a delayed effective
date (Paul M. Mahoney, County Attorney)
Mr. Mahoney explained the request for the ordinance. Supervisors Altizer,
Church and Elswick stated they were in support of this ordinance.
Chairman Flora moved to approve the first reading and set the second
reading and public hearing for August 28, 2012. The motion carried by the following
recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Altizer, Church, Elswick, Flora
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Supervisor Moore
2. An ordinance amending Chapter 5 "Animals and Fowl" and
Sections 30 -29 and 30 -88 -2 of the Roanoke County Code to
provide for definitions and to establish standards for residential
chicken keeping (Paul M. Mahoney, County Attorney)
Mr. Mahoney outlined the request for this ordinance and noted there was
no opposition at the Planning Commission public hearing for residential chicken
keeping.
Supervisor Altizer inquired of Mr. Mahoney two questions. Under
"Chicken Waste ", does this mean that the waste can be placed in Roanoke County
receptacles? Secondly, chickens are natural prey, did staff discuss with Game and
Inland Fisheries concerning this. Mr. Mahoney advised he would obtain the answer to
both questions for the second reading of this ordinance.
Chairman Flora moved to approve the first reading and establish the
second reading and public hearing for August 28, 2012. The motion carried by the
following recorded vote.
AYES: Supervisors Altizer, Church, Elswick, Flora
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Supervisor Moore
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IN RE: PUBLIC HEARING AND SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES
1. Ordinance authorizing the relocation of the following polling
places pursuant to Section 24.2 -306, 24.2 -307, and 24.2 -310 of the
1950 Code of Virginia, as amended: (1) Bennett Springs polling
place (107) to be relocated from the Masons Cove Fire Station to
Mountain Pass Baptist Church, 2975 Catawba Valley Drive, Salem
24153; (2) Garst Mill polling place (306) to be relocated from the
Library Headquarters to Cave Spring Rescue Station, 3206 Valley
Forge Avenue, Roanoke 24018; and (3) Hunting Hills polling place
(507) to be relocated from the Celebration Church of God to South
County Library, 6303 Merriman Road, Roanoke 24018 (Judith
Stokes, Registrar)
Ms. Stokes outlined the changes that would be made by this ordinance.
She advised there were no changes from the first reading. Chairman Flora opened and
closed the public hearing with no citizens to speak on this issue. There was no
discussion.
ORDINANCE 081412 -1 AUTHORIZING THE RELOCATION OF
THE FOLLOWING POLLING PLACES PURSUANT TO SECTION
24.2 -306, 24.2 -307, AND 24.2 -310 OF THE 1950 CODE OF
VIRGINIA AS AMENDED: (1) BENNETT SPRINGS PRECINCT
(107); (2) GARST MILL PRECINCT (306); AND HUNTING HILLS
PRECINCT (507)
WHEREAS, Sections 24.1 -306, 24.2 -307 and 24.2 -310 of the 1950 Code of
Virginia, as amended, authorize the governing body of each county to establish the
polling place for each precinct in that jurisdiction by ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Roanoke County will be better served by the
relocation of certain polling places to locations providing more space for voting
equipment, increased lighting, more convenient parking, higher security for voting
equipment and easier accessibility for all voters; and
WHEREAS, the first reading of this ordinance was held on July 24, 2012; and the
second reading of this ordinance and public hearing were held on August 14, 2012.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke
County, Virginia, as follows:
1. That the relocation of the following polling places be, and hereby is
approved as follows:
(1) Bennett Springs Precinct (107) to be relocated from the
Masons Cove Fire Station, 3810 Bradshaw Road, Salem, VA
24153 to the Mountain Pass Baptist Church, 2975 Catawba
August 14, 2012 467
Valley Drive, Salem, VA 24153
(2) Garst Mill Precinct (306) to be relocated from the 419 Library
Headquarters, 3131 Electric Road, Roanoke, VA 24018 to
the Cave Spring Rescue Station, 3206 Valley Forge Avenue,
Roanoke, VA 24018.
(3) Hunting Hills Precinct (507) to be relocated from the
Celebration Church of God, 4429 Buck Mountain Road,
Roanoke, VA 24018 to be relocated to the South County
Library, 6303 Merriman Road, Roanoke, VA 24018.
3. That the General Registrar for the County of Roanoke, Virginia, is hereby
authorized to take all measures necessary to comply with Virginia law and regulations
regarding a change in a polling precinct and for reasonable notification to the voters of
this change in their respective polling location.
4. That the County Administrator and the General Registrar are hereby
authorized and directed to take such others actions as may be necessary to accomplish
the intent of this Ordinance.
5. That this Ordinance shall take effect immediately.
On motion of Supervisor Church to adopt the ordinance, and carried by the
following roll call and recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Altizer, Church, Elswick, Flora
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Supervisor Moore
IN RE: APPOINTMENTS
1. Board of Zoning Appeals (appointed by District)
Supervisor Richard C. Flora has recommended the reappointment of
Carlton Wright who has agreed to serve an additional term. This is a five (5) -year
appointment and the term will expire June 30, 2017. Mr. Wright represents the Hollins
District. Confirmation of this appointment has been placed on the Consent Agenda.
2. Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Review Committee (appointed
by District)
Supervisor Eddie "Ed" Elswick has recommended the reappointment of
James Gray for a one -year term to expire on August 31, 2013. Mr. Gray represents the
Windsor Hills District. Confirmation of this appointment has been placed on the
Consent Agenda.
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3. Roanoke County Community Leaders Environment Action
Roundtable (RCCLEAR) (appointed by District)
Supervisor Michael W. Altizer has recommended the reappointment of
Janet Scheid for an additional three -year term to expire on August 31, 2015. Ms.
Scheid represents the Vinton Magisterial District. Confirmation of this appointment has
been placed on the Consent Agenda.
IN RE: CONSENT AGENDA
RESOLUTION 081412 -2 APPROVING AND CONCURRING IN
CERTAIN ITEMS SET FORTH ON THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AGENDA FOR THIS DATE DESIGNATED AS
ITEM I- CONSENT AGENDA
BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, as
follows:
That the certain section of the agenda of the Board of Supervisors for August 14,
2012, designated as Item Consent Agenda be, and hereby is, approved and concurred
in as to each item separately set forth in said section designated Items 1 through 5
inclusive, as follows:
1. Approval of minutes — July 13, 2012; July 24, 2012
2. Resolution expressing the appreciation of the Board of Supervisors of
Roanoke County to Daryell D. Sexton, Battalion Chief - Operations, upon his
retirement after more than twenty -seven (27) years of service
3. Confirmation of appointment to the Board of Zoning Appeals (appointed by
District) and the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Review Committee
(appointed by District)
4. Request to approve an amendment to the Volunteer Incentive Program (VIP)
to include percent of calls answered as a pre - qualifier for the program
5. Request to adjust appropriations of State revenue reimbursements in the
amount of $1,232,157 for fiscal year 2011 -2012 for changes in
reimbursement methodology to the Department of Social Services for child
care assistance
On motion of Supervisor Altizer to adopt the ordinance, and carried by the
following roll call and recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Altizer, Church, Elswick, Flora
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Supervisor Moore
August 14, 2012 469
R- 081412 -2.a
A- 081412 -2.b
A- 081412 -2.c
A- 081412 -2.d
IN RE: CITIZENS' COMMENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
The following citizens spoke.
Noah Tickle of 1602 Frosty Lane in Salem, Virginia and Roanoke County
resident since 1956 stated he interrupted his ICLEI historical to bring you this recent
about the naturally, un -human occurring element carbon; bad even though we are a
carbon life form. June 8, 2012, "Auburn University - in a paper published recently in the
journal Ecosystems, a team led by Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife
Sciences researcher now understands the intricate ways that climate change,
atmospheric carbon dioxide, ozone, nitrogen and land use changes work together. The
Dynamic Land Ecosystem Model is a new generation of land ecosystem models to
address multiple environmental stresses and changes over time. " "This is the first time
in the last century that they have fully evaluated the impacts of human and natural
factors on Southern ecosystems including forests." Over time, the Southeast has been
transformed from being a source of carbon emissions to being a carbon sink. This
means that "overall ", the environment in the Southeast removes carbon from the
atmosphere rather than contributes to it. One of the surprising things the study revealed
was that air pollution carbon and nitrogen in the atmosphere was one of the "key
factors" in "rapid forest growth" that turned the area into a carbon sink. So, this is yet
another example of several of my previous presentations, just to briefly state, " Saving
Carbon" Saving carbon dioxide to save the environment was done by those that had
not done their homework. They too had listen to those raking in all of the grant money
they could lay their hands to. Points about this are: 1. Any changes in Co2 is a natural
one. "NOT" of human effect; 2. Food crops need lots of Co2, double the approximate
350 count we have now and crop yields are increased by 30 %. So, more Co2 more food
crop yield. The canary in the mine will not pass out till a much greater than 5000 count
increase in Co2; that is the safety limit for Co2 in mines. 3. Now, the best kept secret,
greenhouse farmers have been pumping Co2 into their greenhouses for years and
getting much increased yields in their plant production. "flowers ", "salads" "fruits like the
lovely tomato" So where is the Common Sense about any of these UN Agenda 21
partners? Defund UN ICLEI now, Get the UN out of our lives; let's get back to the
common sense of local governance.
Linda LaPrade of 5508 Will Carter Lane in Roanoke stated in the past 18
months, 138 cities and counties dropped ICLEI membership and that number will likely
grow to 157 as laws in Tennessee, Arizona, and Alabama go into effect outlawing
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Agenda 21 / ICLEI in those states. Florida has already done so. Their reasons vary, as
we have said, from it being unconstitutional to, if fully implemented, changing the way of
rural life and making housing unaffordable; thereby preventing businesses from locating
in the affected areas. The Alabama bill states "The State of Alabama and all political
subdivisions may not adopt or implement policy recommendations that deliberately or
inadvertently infringe or restrict private property rights without due process, as may be
required by policy recommendations originating in, or traceable to 'Agenda 21 '." You
cannot separate ICLEI, Agenda 21 and the UN. It is very clear on their websites, but the
proponents are smart in playing to those who want to save the planet. We all care about
the planet. But, as Randy Brite says, "why does this mean that we must accept an
extensively complicated document like Agenda 21 that can be conveniently interpreted?
Some of the ideas in it might be worthy, but others clearly aren't, yet we seem to be
expected to accept it in it's entirely and at today's face value regardless what it might
mean decade from now." Again ICLEI is Agenda 21. Our Constitution is what makes
America great. There is no other country that believes that our rights are given to us by
God, and as such they can never be taken away from us by our government. When you
see that, it is very easy to see that Agenda 21 and its outcomes will not work for us. Yet
outside groups continue to make inroads in eroding the principles on which this country
is based, and you allow it. Outside groups set goals and standards, and you accept
them. Your duty is to protect and serve the people of this county, whether it be their will
to have prayer before meetings or their will to have the property rights of future
generations protected. This board should not be about conforming to the ideas of
outside groups who don't understand God -given rights and the Constitution based on
those rights. It should simply be doing the will of those who elected you and assuring
the best you can that you are protecting them. Now is the time for you to join those
areas with courage and leadership who have removed ICLEI and Agenda 21.
Vanessa Cahill of 5727 Littlehorn Drive in Roanoke, Virginia stated she
lives in the Windsor Hills District and thanked the Board of Supervisors for allowing
citizens to speak. For her personally, she would like for the Board as they vote to
consider keeping prayer as the County has always had it in the County for the meetings.
She stated she understands having something that someone says be offensive, as it
offends her when someone used the Lord's name in vain. But, she understands that is
freedom of speech for them, she does not understand why freedom of speech would not
be the same if you are using the Lord's name to bless someone instead of using it to
curse.
Dave Gresham of 315 Northridge Road in Hardy, Virginia stated e first
wanted to thank the Board for announcing at the end of the last meeting, that you would
plan to return to nondeminational payers. He stated he knows it is very contentious and
heartfelt issue for all of us and is so pleased the Board decided to come down on the
side of the constitution and keep church and state separate so that there is a neutral
ground as Regan, Carter and all the President before them thought was so important.
He explained since he "chewed the Board out" he thought he could publically thank the
August 14, 2012 471
Board for doing what he knows was a hard decision for most of the Board. The second
thing he wanted to mention is a technicality. He wanted to talk about manners, if you
will, about those prayers and about the pledge of allegiance. For example, he stated he
would quote the Chairman verbatim. "Before the invocation and the pledge for today,
we will stand and we will remain standing for the pledge and invocation." As if it was not
optional, which it is. It is important that it optional; that it is clear that it is optional. It is a
fine point, but it matters. The pastor, who gave the invocation, he understood perfectly,
it was lovely to listen to him say, " I invite you to stand." It was not mandatory. Can
you see the subtle difference in that. It is really, really important that people who are
nondenominational, an independent like himself, feel welcome as Muslims, Jews, Deists
and Sikhs that were in the news recently, There are billions of people who have
different beliefs, and he understand it is predominantly Christian, but this neutral ground
needs to stay that way. We all need to feel welcome.
IN RE: REPORTS
Supervisor Altizer moved to receive and file the following reports. The
motion carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors, Altizer, Church, Elswick, Flora
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Supervisor Moore
1. General Fund Unappropriated Balance
2. Capital Reserves
3. Reserve for Board Contingency
4. Report of Claims Activity for the Self- Insurance Program
5. Quarterly Report — Community Development Activities
IN RE: REPORTS AND INQUIRIES OF BOARD MEMBERS
Supervisor Church first wanted to make an unusual compliment to a
member of our animal control area. He asked that Mr. Goodman pass this information
and compliment to Chief Hall. He stated he thinks her name is Tammy Aldhizer. He
explained for the first time in his life, he had an opportunity to call. As he looked out his
front yard, he noticed a beautiful black cocker spaniel, running like crazy with a red
leash hanging from his neck. Supervisor Church explained he got the dog a big bowl of
water and some cat food (he has cats) and he wolfed that down. He was very friendly
and he tied his leash to the edge of his tree, which is close to the ground and sat with
him while they waited on the animal control officer. The only time the dog broke bad
was when he saw the cage in the back of the truck. This two to three year old cocker
turned instantly into a warrior and it was all they could do to get him in the cage. The
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good story is that the next day or two, he received a call that the dog was returned to its
owner a street away. He was very happy to know that the dog was returned to its
rightful owner, especially with all of the recent press concerning the SPCA. Secondly,
he wanted to offer best wishes to Glenvar and Northside High School, the Glenvar
Highlanders and Viking and by doing so he is wishing against some other County
schools, but he is hoping both these schools have an undefeated season, that means
that Cave Spring and William Byrd are going to have to lose. He stated he is sorry.
Northside and Glenvar, and he is sure the other Board members will be pulling for their
area, but Coach Clifford and Coach Torrance are wonderful people. He really hopes
that have a great season. Thirdly, he believes this Board needs to take another look at
ICLEI. He stated he knows there has been an ongoing discussion, which seems to be
forever. But, when it was brought up to the Board a few years ago, he had no idea what
it was. It looked harmless and thinks the Board was unanimous and not just because
so many people have come before the Board and enlightened them, but all of the
information that he has gathered tells him that the County is in the wrong direction. He
then asked Mr. Mahoney, if it would be a proper request to ask for a new business item
or a public hearing or whatever. He stated he just feels like the Board needs to take an
open look and either put this to sleep or continue it forever. He does not know. Mr.
Mahoney advised the Board had reviewed and he does not have the exact date, but it
can be brought back on the agenda. He stated he would like to put this on August 28,
2012. Finally, he stated he was not going to speak about the prayer issue, but he thinks
again he wanted to say that he is so glad to see that we are continuing. For the
gentleman that spoke and just left, we really have not made a decision, yet. The Board
decided they would talk about it. What bothers him, and he is really hoping and
pleading with his fellow Board members that we do not go the route of nonsectarian
prayer. He stated he believes in his heart that if we do that it is the beginning of the end
we know it. He stated he has received phone calls and email from numerous amounts
of pastors and they have told him they will not come if the Board tells them how to pray;
they cannot offend their Lord by not praying the way that they believe. He stated he
received like every other Board member within the last few days, a stoplight video. It is
amazing; talking about the White House and where religion stands and it took a walk
through the surrounding areas of the White House; to the Lincoln Memorial, to our
monuments and everywhere that you are talking about, God is our creator, gives us
everything we have and it is ironic that at the Supreme Court and everywhere we look
there is the Ten Commandments or talking about God, just not any old god, God. He
stated he knows in the past we have invited other denomination to come. He stated he
hopes we will reach out and just continue to ask any and every denomination. He
stated he knows if we have a Pakistan, Hindu, etc. he is not going to be offended. He is
still going to close his eyes and pray to the God in his heart. As far as an
inconvenience, maybe we can look at saying things a little differently, maybe in phrasing
it, making it more "user" friendly, but on the reverse side of that everyone that knows we
have an invocation realizes it is at the beginning of our meeting. Our building is air-
August 14, 2012 473
conditioned and if they wanted to wait a couple of minutes out in the hallway, we are not
going to make them, but no -one is making them come in to hear any prayer. He stated
he knows that if he really did not want to disturb the meeting, if he felt a certain way, he
does not think he would want to go in and ask seventy -five (75) people to do something
only he wished they would do in that meeting. He advised he really hopes and prays
that we will take a look at leaving it as it is and not going to a nonsectarian. We are in
August of 2012, if this Board does this, check with us in a year and see if anyone wants
to even come.
Supervisor Elswick stated he agreed with taking another look at ICLEI and
it is insidious how other Countries, primarily the United Nations, wants to influence what
happens in the United States. To a large extent, they want us to become more like
them; there is some jealousy involved. Our organization that supports ICLEI the most is
RCCLEAR and he has asked before that RCCLEAR correct the reports they issued on
the amount of carbon that we have saved in Roanoke County. The reports they issued
to the UN ICLEI organization was erroneous; was not based on factual data and we
cannot get RCCLEAR to be honest in the way that they prepare reports that go to an
international organization, an organization that probably uses those reports to ask for
more money from the UN and that more money typically comes from the United States.
If RCCLEAR cannot do that and correct the reports that went out, then he thinks the
Board should very seriously consider disbanding RCCLEAR. With regard to prayer,
obviously we are still talking about it, it is still being debated, but he would assume that
the Board is going to end up with allowing any faith to come in and speak to us because
people's faith is their faith and there are a lot of different religions in the world and he
thinks we need to recognize that; whatever the faith is whether it is Muslim, Jewish or
Christian or Native American. Let those people come in and speak with us. He stated
he is hoping if there is any way we can continue doing it without getting sued, we will
continue with the invocations pretty much as they are only incorporating additional
faiths.
At 4:12 Chairman Flora recessed to the fourth floor for work sessions.
IN RE: WORK SESSIONS
1. Work session on a Landscaping Project at the intersection of
Williamson Road and Peters Creek Road (Megan Cronise,
Principal Planner)
In attendance for this work session was B. Clayton Goodman III, County
Administrator, Megan Cronise, Principal Planner and Wendy Jones, Executive Director
of the Williamson Road Area Business Association. The work session was held from
4:25 p.m. until 4:35 p.m. Ms. Cronise and Ms. Jones went through a PowerPoint
presentation to outline the landscaping project. Supervisors Elswick and Church
474 August 14, 2012
thanked Ms. Jones and Ms. Cronise for the work on the project. Chairman Flora noted
this was a very high profile intersection and will make an impact as people travel down
Peters Creek Road. Ms. Cronise explained there were 22,000 trips per day off Peters
Creek.
2. Work session to discuss Assessment Cycles (William (Billy) E.
Driver, Director of Real Estate Assessments)
In attendance for this work session was B. Clayton Goodman III, County
Administrator and Billy Driver, Director of Real Estate Assessments. The work session
was held from 4:35 p.m. until 4:47 p.m. Mr. Goodman explained Supervisor Elswick
had requested two meetings ago that a work session and discussion be held about the
possibility of changing the cycle by which Roanoke County conducted their
assessments. Mr. Driver went through a PowerPoint presentation that included what
we are currently doing and what we are allowed to do by law
Mr. Goodman stated it was his recommendation not to make any changes
at this time. Mr. Driver commented the market values are still continuing to fall, but will
not have any final numbers until December of 2012.
Supervisor Elswick thanked Mr. Goodman and Mr. Driver for the work on
this work session and stated all of his questions were answered and he is in agreement
not to make any changes at this time. Chairman Flora stated he was in agreement as
well and stated he felt the annual assessment is the best of both worlds. There was no
further discussion.
3. Work session on proposed Virginia Department of Transportation
improvements to Route 688, Cotton Hill Road (David Holladay,
Planning Administrator)
In attendance for this work session was David Holladay, Planning
Administrator, Doug Blount, Director of Parks, Recreation and Tourism and Scott
Woodrum who is the Project Engineer with the Virginia Department of Transportation.
The work session was held from 4:48 p.m. until 5:01 p.m. Mr. Holladay gave a brief
historical explanation for this project. He noted there was a public hearing held on
March 15, 2012 to roll out construction plans and gather input. There were
approximately sixty -five people in attendance. After the hearing, the engineers put
together a response letter and covered the major issues that came up at the public
hearing. The next step is to hold a public hearing and vote on a resolution of support,
which has been scheduled for August 28, 2012.
Mr. Woodrum explained the intent was to improve the horizontal and
vertical alignment. Based on citizen comments, VDOT was attempting to provide a
space or area to accommodate a greenway or paved trail and do the grading along with
the project. He explained there is only space up to Monet Drive. A shared use path will
August 14, 2012 475
continue to Monet Drive and the remainder will come back to what was presented
during the public hearing.
Mr. Goodman noted during the public hearing several citizens spoke
concerning the Park, which is not part of this project. There was a concentrated effort
from the citizens to see if the leftover right -of -way could be used as public space and to
be used as a Public Park. Additional comments were made regarding a possible
Greenway or a wide shoulder as part of a way to connect the area to the Parkway.
Space will be provided for bicycles.
Supervisor Altizer inquired if this would be paved, with Mr. Woodrum
responding in the affirmative.
Supervisor Church asked Mr. Blount about a possible Greenway. Mr.
Blount advised he has communicated with the citizens behind this Greenway and they
have been advised there is no capital funding associated for this project and since they
are not on the list currently, they would need to be incorporated into the next budget
cycle.
Supervisor Elswick remarked he felt everyone understands there are no
funds for this at the present time, but they just wanted to bring it to the attention of
VDOT in order to allow for it.
IN RE: ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Flora adjourned the meeting at 5:02 p.m.
Submitted by: Approved by:
L Q A
Deborah C. Ja Richard C. Flora
Clerk to the Bo rd Chairman
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August 14, 2012
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